Cuenca mayor announces vice mayor will assume duties during suspension

Cristian Zamora, the mayor of Cuenca, Ecuador, announced on Thursday, June 11, 2026, that Vice Mayor Marisol Peñaloza will temporarily take over his mayoral functions. This handover occurs during Zamora's six-month political suspension, a period he views as a consequence of his advocacy for the Kimsacocha water project and broader political battles.

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This is the payment of the Kimsacocha bill, of the struggles for life and for water, of not having remained silent when it was necessary to defend principles and convictions.

In a statement on his X account, Zamora declared, "This is the payment of the Kimsacocha bill, of the struggles for life and for water, of not having remained silent when it was necessary to defend principles and convictions." He assured citizens that he would remain attentive to all city matters despite his temporary absence from official duties, emphasizing that his mayoral status has not ceased.

The suspension follows a ruling by the Electoral Contentious Tribunal (TCE) that ratified a sentence against Zamora for an electoral infraction involving political gender violence. This ruling not only suspends his political rights for six months but also disqualifies him from running for re-election in the upcoming sectional elections scheduled for November 29, 2026.

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I will be attentive to absolutely all the issues, because my quality as mayor has not ceased. Once that time is over, I will return to my duties.

Zamora vehemently rejected the accusations of political gender violence, characterizing the situation as a purely electoral maneuver designed to sideline him due to his anticipated electoral success. He stated, "We all know this is not a matter of violence... This was a purely electoral issue, and since I was going to sweep the polls, they had to remove me and sideline me... I believe a great injustice has been committed against me, but above all against Cuenca, in its freedom to choose its authorities."

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We will be respectful of the Law, we will always comply with the due processes.

Vice Mayor Peñaloza called for unity and collaborative work, pledging to respect the law and due processes. Zamora's legal team is preparing to file a motion for clarification and expansion of the sentence, seeking further details from the tribunal before the suspension is fully executed.

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We all know, this is not a matter of violence... This was a purely electoral issue, and since I was going to sweep the polls, they had to remove me and sideline me... I believe a great injustice has been committed against me, but above all against Cuenca, in its freedom to choose its authorities.